#WrestleBratislava

Milov hands Aleksanyan first European loss since 2017

Saturday, April 12, 2025 - 08:43 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 12) -- Kiril MILOV (BUL) handed seven-time European champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) his first European loss since 2017 as he defeated the Armenian in the 97kg semifinal in Bratislava on Saturday.

Milov blocked Aleksanyan when the latter was going for the turn from par terre and scored a reversal for a 2-1 lead and defended it like his life depended on it to win and reach the European Championships final in which he will face the unheralded Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER).

Aleksanyan last lost at the European Championships to Felix BALDAUF (NOR) at the 2017 edition in Novi Sad when the Norwegian handed him a 2-2 criteria defeat in the quarterfinals.

Milov will now be the favorite for the gold medal, which will be his second if he wins the final on Sunday.

In other semifinals, defending champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) once again tossed Victor CIOBANU (MDA) around, like he did last year in the final.

The 63kg world champion needed only 41 seconds to complete a 8-0 technical superiority win over Ciobanua in the 60kg semifinal. Mammadli scored a takedown, scored a big suplex for four and completed the win with a turn.

Mammadli will take on Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) for the gold medal after the Serbian defeated Sadyk LALAEV (UWW), 1-1, in the other semifinal. Tibilov got the first par terre advantage while Lalaev got the second. According to the new Greco-Roman rules being tested by United World Wrestling, if a match ends 1-1, the wrestler who scored the first point with be awarded the criteria win.

Another defending champion from Azerbaijan Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) showed similar skills and reached the 67kg final after beating Murat FIRAT (TUR), 8-0 in the final.

Jafarov got the first par terre and he turned Firat for two points before completing a massive throw with a perfect back arc to get five points and the win.

The Paris bronze medalist will now take on Abu AMAEV (BUL) who held on for a 4-3 win over Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL). This will be Amaev's first-ever finals appearance at the European Championships.

Salimov was the first to score as he got a stepout and then a par terre advantage for a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Salimov tried an outrageous headlock when the two wrestler were on locked and fell with Amaev on top for two points.

Amaev, with a 2-2 criteria lead, got a point for a stepout to make it 3-2. Salimov needs two points for the win but he only got a stepout as Amaev defended his 3-3 lead and got a point when Poland challenged only in a lost cause.

Rising star Levente LEVAI (HUN) made sure Hungary reaches the final at 72kg after he defeated Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW) in an entertaining semifinal. He got the par  terre in the first period and was awarded the point for Liavonchyk's fleeing. The call got challenged but Liavonchyk lost it and added another point. From par terre, Levai scored a correct throw for two points to make it 5-0. 

When Liavonchyk got he par terre position in the second period, he could only throw Levai out of bounds in standing position which meant only one point. Levai easily maintained his 5-2 lead for the win.

He will face former world champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) for the gold medal who ended Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) dream run with a 4-3 victory at 72kg. Sleiva had rocked the European Championships with 9-0 wins over Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) and world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB).

But Ghanem was having none of that. He got the first par terre and turned Sleiva who blocked Ghanem during the second turn and got two points. When he got the par terre advantage, Sleiva got the 3-3 criteria lead but failed to score from that position. Ghanem immediately answered with a stepout and reclaimed the lead 4-3 to win the semifinal.

Hungary and Azerbaijan will go head-to-head in the 82kg after world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) made it to the final.

Szilvassy defeated Burhan AKBUDAK by scoring a beautiful arm-drag for takedown and turn to lead 4-3. This was soon after he had given up par terre and a turn. In the second period, he got a point for par terre and defended his 5-3 lead for the win.

Former world U20 champion Gurbanov blanked Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), 4-0, in the other semifinal. He scored from par terre and then got the second par terre as well.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) vs. Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE)

SF 1: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) df. Sadyk LALAEV (UWW), 1-1
SF 2: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Victor CIOBANU (MDA), 8-0

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Abu AMAEV (BUL)

SF 1: Abu AMAEV (BUL) df. Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 4-3
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 8-0

72kg
GOLD: Levente LEVAI (HUN) vs. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA)

SF 1: Levente LEVAI (HUN) df. Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 5-2
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) df. Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU), 4-3

82kg
GOLD: Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) vs. Gurban GURBANOV (AZE)

SF 1: Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) df.  Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), 5-3
SF 2: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df.  Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), 4-0

97kg
GOLD: Kiril MILOV (BUL) vs. Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER)

SF 1: Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), 2-1
SF 2: Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER) df. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW), 5-1

Morning session results and blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULTS

14:15: Victor CIOBANU (MDA), returning silver medalist at 60kg, manages to hold on for a 5-1 victory over Nedyalko PETROV (BUL). He moves into the semifinals.

14:05: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) scores a pushout from par terre and defends well when he is in par terre to score a 2-1 victory over Mihail BRADU (MDA) at 82kg.

13:55: Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) with a big upset! He takes out Paris silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) 10-0. Sleiva got the par terre first and he comes out with two suplex throws for four points each. Nasibov challenges but loses it to give one more point to Sleiva.

13:45: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) takes only 30 seconds to roll to an 8-0 win over Jakub SIMCIK (CZE) at 72kg.

13:35: Former world and European champion at 72kg Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) comes back and scores a takedown to take a 6-4 lead against Mehmet SAHIN (TUR) who led 4-4 on criteria. One more point for Ghanem as he wins 7-4.

13:27: Alex SZOKE (HUN) holds on for a 4-1 victory over Giorgi MELIA (GEO) at 97kg. Melia got the second par terre and needed one more point for victory but Szoke blocks him during the turn and scores two points. Melia challenges but no change after review. Szoke wins 4-1.

13:25: At 72kg, world champion Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) scores a comeback victory over Levente LEVAI (HUN) who gold gold medal at the Zagreb Open. Levai scored a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 but Ganizade with a stepout to start the second period. He is then awarded a par terre point before he completes a correct throw for two points to lead 4-3. A takedown from Levai with five seconds remaining on the clock to reclaim the lead 5-4. Ganizade challenges for a headbutt. There is no offensive foul on review and Levai will upset the world champ 6-4

13:20: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) with two big four-pointes and the fall over Arvi SAVOLANIEN (FIN) and advance at 97kg. So far so good for Maskevich in the new weight class.

13:10: Four-time Olympic medalist and seven-time European champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) starts off with a 5-1 win over Richard KARELSON (EST) at 97kg. Two gut wrenches from par terre for the win.

13:05: Kiril MILOV (BUL) and world bronze medalist Artur OMAROV (CZE) are warned by the referee that both will be disqualified if they continued the aggressive wrestling constituting to fouls. Milov gets the first par terre and scores two turns on Omarov before defending his par terre to win 5-1

12:55: Paris Olympic bronze medalist and defending champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) rocks Andreas VETSCH (SUI) and wins his first bout at 67kg 8-0.

12:50: Former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB) with a 3-1 win over Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) at 67kg. A turn from par terre the difference between the two wrestlers. 

12:40: Returning silver medalist Ruslan BICHURIN (UWW) has no trouble seeing off Valentin PETIC (MDA) 5-0 in their 67kg match. He is looking for a revenge match with Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

12:30: Paris fifth-placer Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) with a 9-0 win over Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) who is moving up to 67kg from his weight class of 63kg in which he has European medals.

12:15: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), two-time Olympic silver medalist, is hit with an early throw from Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) for four points and then he turns Nasibov for a 6-0 lead. However, Nasibov gets on board with a takedown. Two stepouts later, he makes it 6-4 at the break. Nasibov keeps pushing action in the second period and he finally gets his reward with a four-pointer and then a takedown as Khachatryan struggles for conditioning. Nasibov takes the 10-6 win at 72kg.

12:05: Former world champion Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW), who is moving up to 97kg, begins with a win against Markus RAGGINGER (AUT). 

12:00: Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) stuns Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) at 97kg! That has to be one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Sterkenburg with a big arm throw to get four against Sargsian who later made it 4-4 but Sterkenburg still led on criteria. Sargsian tried a big throw but landed on his back and Sterkenburg got two points. A stepout made it 7-4. A stepout, fleeing caution brough Sargsian back and Sterkenburg's lead was 7-7 on criteria with 40 seconds left. However, there is a technical issue with the scoreboard and there is no power in the arena for 25 minutes. When the bout resumes, Sterkenburg defends his criteria lead and wins 7-7.

Technical issues at the arena have delayed the bouts

11:22: Former champion Kiril MILOV (BUL) starts his European campaign with a technical superiority win over Nicu OJOG (ROU) at 97kg.

11:15: World champion at 63kg Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), wrestling at 60kg, begins with a 9-0 technical superiority win over Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU) as he hopes to defend his title.

11:00: Remember that 1-1 match in Greco-Roman will end with the winner being the wrestler who scored the first point. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) gets a benefit of this rule as he gets the par terre advantage first against Felix BALDAUF (NOR) at 97kg. Baldauf, who got it in the second period, is down 1-1 on criteria but cannot score. He goes down 1-1 to Kakhelashvili

10:30: Welcome to the full day of action at the European Championships and it's all Greco-Roman. We will run till the semifinals in 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg and 97kg. The medal bouts in 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will begin at 18:00 local time.

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 7 GR 60kg, 72kg, 97kg Highlights

Friday, September 19, 2025 - 08:37 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 19) -- The World Championships day seven will see three Greco-Roman weight classes -- 60kg, 72kg and 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

60kg semifinals
SF 1: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) vs. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO)
SF 2: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) vs. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB)

14:15: World 63kg champion will not be able to add another gold to his name as he drops his quarterfinal against Alisher GANIEV (UZB) at 60kg. Ganiev with beautiful whizzer counter when Mammadli was tried an arm-drag. He managed to turn him as well for a 6-0 lead. Ganiev gets the par terre but there is no score. There is no par terre in the second period but Mammadli gets a four-point throw. However, that is all the action in the match. A lost challenge from Azerbaijan gives Ganiev one more point as he wins 8-4.

14:11: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), a two-time world bronze medalist, stayed on a track for a better medal when he defeated Se Ung RI (PRK) 1-1 in their 60kg quarterfinal by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points.

14:10: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) books his place in the 60kg semifinals with a solid 4-1 victory over SURAJ (IND). Tibilov opens with a stepout, then pads his lead with a gut wrench from par terre to lead 4-0 at the break. He resists when put on bottom in the second period, and holds on for the victory.

14:09: Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) with a beautiful headlock throw four points to beat Enes BASAR (TUR) 10-0 at 60kg. Shavadze scored a gut-wrench from par terre to lead 3-0 before the throw. Basar commits a defensive four and gets a penalty for two points. A lost challenge from Turkiye to give one more point. 

97kg Semifinals
SF 1: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW)
SF 2: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) vs. Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE)

14:00: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) avoids the upset bug, but it is anything but easy in forging a 1-1 victory over Giorgi MELIA (GEO) to advance to the 97kg semifinals. Saravi gets the first of the two passivity points, and that makes the difference. He gets a second chance at par terre in the second period, but can't turn the Georgian.

13:59: The shocks continue at 97kg as Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) pulls off a stunning 7-4 victory over Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) to advance to the semifinals. Maskevich leads 2-0 after getting a passivity point and stepout in the first period. In the second, Rosillo uses his amazing speed and tries to spin behind for a takedown. But as they spin around like cats, Maskevich reaches over and pancakes Rosillo over for a 4-pointer. An unsuccessful challenge puts Maskevich ahead 7-0. Rosillo comes back with a takedown, and gains 2 on a leg foul, which gives Rosillo a chance in par terre. But he can't turn, and Maskevich advances.

13:52: A 1-1 victory for Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg! Sargsian beneficiary of the new rule in which the criteria remains with the wrestler who gets the first point in a 1-1 finsih. 

13:50: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is pinned! The bad run for Aleksanyan continues as Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) blocks Aleksanyan during the gut-wrench and holds him in danger position till the fall is confirmed. Ahmadiyev moves into the 97kg semifinals.

72kg Semifinals
SF 1: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) vs. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ)

13:42: That has to be a first in wrestling as Danial SOHRABI (IRI), who had multiple bleeding stoppages, is medically timed out as the four minutes allotted for bleeding finish. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), who was leading 4-2 at that moment, wins and advances to the 72kg semifinals. 

13:41: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) survives a tough test from Yeonghun NOH (KOR) to advance to the 72kg semifinals as he pursues a second straight gold. Noh surprises Ganizade with a headlock throw attempt right off the whistle, which is good for 2 points. A passivity point puts the Korean up 3-0 at the break. Ganizade calmly goes ahead in the second period on criteria with a throw from par terre. At the end, the Korean is denied a potential takedown due to a foul, and in the final seconds, leaps over the top in a flying squirrel attempt, but Ganizade plants him on the mat for 5 and an 8-3 victory.

13:40: For two-time Olympic medalist, Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) saw his bid for an elusive world medal dealt a serious setback when he fell 4-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) in the 72kg quarterfinals. Nasibov started well with a throw from par terre, but gave up a soft takedown at the end of the first period. Maulitkanov received a passivity point in the second period to go ahead on criteria. At the end, a Nasibov challenge for an imaginary foul was denied.

13:35: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) with a feet-to-back five points and a stepout to beat Michael PORTMANN (SUI) 8-0 at 72kg. He enters the semifinal for Uzbekistan.

Quarterfinals begins at the same time

13:19: Two-time European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), looking to add to the world title to the one he won last year at 63kg, needs just 33 seconds to overwhelm Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) 8-0 and advance to the 60kg quarterfinals.

13:13: European and former world bronze medalist Alex SZOKE (HUN) ends his long wait to take the mat by grinding out a 1-1 victory over Artur OMAROV (CZE) at 97kg by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points. Both wrestlers had to receive treatment for a head cut and wrestled with their head bandaged.

13:10: A huge win for world U20 bronze medalist SURAJ (IND) over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA). He defended the par terre position which sealed the deal for him in a 3-1 victory at 60kg.

13:02: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ung RI (PRK) gets the benefit of the doubt in a 4-point takedown in defeating Kaito INABA (JPN) 8-0 at 60kg, with the winning point coming on an unsuccessful challenge. After Ri receives a passivity point, the two are on their feet when Ri pancakes Inaba to the mat -- although it appears he used his foot to trip the Japanese -- then adds a gut wrench. The Japanese side challenges, but the judge says the move was valid, ending the match.

13:01: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) makes short work of Richard KARELSON (EST), launching a 4-point throw from par terre than scoring a 4-point takedown to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals with a 9-0 win in 2:39.

13:00: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) uses his incredible gut-wrench to finish his bout 9-0 against Zegang WANG (CHN). However, China challenges for a leg-foul. On review, Aleksanyan's two turn are validate and the third and fourth are cancelled for foul. Wang gets par terre in second period but Aleksanyan defends well to win 5-1 at 97kg.

12:56: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) advances to the 72kg quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over Gor KHACHATRYAN (ARM). After a stepout, Ghanem gets an exposure from par terre for a 4-0 lead at the break, then gets a second passivity point in the second.

12:54: European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) gets off to a good start at 60kg, putting together an 8-0 victory over Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL). Tibilov gets two turns from par terre, then counters an attack by Skrzypczak for another 2 to lead 7-0 at the break. He ends the match with a stepout. 24 seconds into the second period.

12:52: Olympic champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) gets both the passivity points in his 4-0 victory over NITESH (IND) and enters the quarterfinals at 97kg. He is looking for his second world title.

12:50: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) brings down Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) with a 5-1 victory at 97kg. Ahmadiyev defends the gut-wrench attempt from the Kyrgyzstan wrestler.

12:46: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) gets the first passivity point and then defends while on the bottom, putting him into the 97kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 win over Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER).

12:45: Reigning world champion Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) clears his first hurdle at 72kg, easily handling Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG) in a 6-0 victory. Ganizade opens with a stepout and a passivity point and, although he can't turn Merabet, he scores a takedown to go up 4-0 at the break. Ganizade spins behind for a takedown in the second to cap the win.

12:32: Former world champion and three-time world medalist Ali ARSALAN (SRB) tumbles out in his opening match at 72kg, falling 5-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ). Maulitkanov jumps out to a 4-1 lead when Arsalan cuts the gap with a takedown to end the first period. Late in the second period, Arsalan in on the verge of getting a takedown but can't finish it off. On challenge, it is discovered he not only did not score points, but committed a leg foul.

12:20: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) steps closer to his first world medal as he beats Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 5-0, at 72kg. Both par terre positions to Nasibov in that match

12:15: Michael PORTMANN (SUI) continues his winning run as he now defeated Selcuk CAN (TUR), 8-2, at 72kg. 

12:07: Kaito INABA (JPN), Asian medalist, begins his quest for a world medal with a 5-5 criteria win over Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) at 60kg. 

12:01: It takes a while to sort out an interesting exchange between Olympic bronze medalist and five-time Asian medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) and Mohamed GABR (EGY) at 97kg. Dzhuzupbekov tries to spin behind off an arm drag, but Gabr catches the arm and steps over. On challenge, both are given a 2-point exposure, with Dzhuzupbekov having the last-point criteria. That gives him the win when there is no scoring in the second period, with the customary late challenge only making the score 3-2.

11:50: Former world silver medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) loses the advantage by giving up the first passivity point against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) at 97kg, but he doesn't need it. Put on top in par terre in the second period, he hits a 2-point throw, which he quickly follows with a gut wrench. He gets an added bonus of a 2-point fleein penalty, and is put back on top. But his bear hug throw attempt goes awry and he only gets a stepout. No matter, he walks away an 8-1 winner.

11:25: Olympic bronze medalist and 2023 world champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) picks up a quick 4 against Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE), then uses his speed to get behind for two takedowns to advance at 97kg with an 8-0 victory in 2:17.

11:24: Asian champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) gives up a quick stepout to Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), but responds with one himself. Put on top in par terre, Sohrabi wastes no time, firing off four rolls for a 10-1 win in just over two minutes at 72kg.

11:24: Host Croatia loses its presence in a span of minutes, when Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) falls 4-1 to Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) at 72kg on Mat C, and shortly after on Mat B, NITESH (IND) gets a late gut wrench to oust Filip SMETKO (CRO) 3-2 at 97kg.

11:17: Two-time Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), searching for his first world medal, begins with an 8-0 superiority win over Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) at 72kg.

11:08: European champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) bulls his way to three stepouts in the second period and a 4-0 victory over Alejandro SANCHO (USA) at 72kg.

11:08: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), winner of the Ranking Series events in Budapest and Tirana, gets the first chance in par terre against  two-time world bronze medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) at 72kg, but his roll is annulled on challenge for a leg foul. Can fares much better when he gets the chance, throwing Lomadze for 2 and holding on for a 3-1 win.

11:00: Not to be for Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at 72kg. The Japanese was trying to win a medal in Greco-Roman, two years after he won the world gold medal in Freestyle 70kg. But Michael PORTMANN (SUI), he drops his opening bout 2-1. Portmann scored a stepout apart from the par terre points.  

10:30: The World Championships will continue with Greco-Roman with 60kg, 72kg and 97kg in Zagreb